How to soften hard avocados: Quick tricks you need to know
Avocado is a fruit full of nutrients, but sometimes it’s too hard to eat immediately. Learn proven methods that will help soften avocado at home.
It often happens that after buying an avocado, it turns out to be too firm to consume right away. Why does this occur? The reason is simple—avocados are picked and shipped before they're fully ripe due to the lengthy transportation process. What can you do to speed up the ripening of an avocado? Use this simple trick.
How does an avocado ripen?
Fortunately, there are simple and natural ways to accelerate the ripening of avocados. One simplest trick is placing the fruit in a paper bag. Avocados release ethylene, a ripening gas that speeds up the entire process when the fruit is enclosed in a bag.
To speed up the ripening even more, you can add a few fruits, like apples or bananas, to the bag. These fruits also emit ethylene, significantly accelerating the ripening when combined with avocado. This is a natural, uncomplicated method that doesn't require much effort and produces satisfactory results in a short time.
How to soften an avocado quickly?
Sometimes, however, we need a soft avocado "right now" and can't wait a few days. In such cases, there are proven quick methods. One of the most popular methods is using the oven. This process involves wrapping the fruit in aluminum foil and placing it in an oven preheated to 195°F for a few minutes. This makes the avocado softer and ready to eat immediately.
Another trick is a method using a microwave. Cut the avocado in half, remove the pit, and then place it in the microwave on low power for about 30 seconds. In this case, do not wrap the avocado in aluminum foil. It's also good to poke it with a fork before putting it in the microwave.
How to store avocados?
Soft avocados are best wrapped in plastic wrap and stored in the refrigerator to keep them fresh. An excellent way to preserve a cut avocado is to sprinkle it with lemon juice, which helps maintain its nice color.
There are many culinary uses for soft avocados. They can be used as a base for guacamole, enhancing its flavor and texture. They’re also great as an addition to salads and sandwiches or even as an ingredient in healthy smoothies. Remember that their soft texture is ideal for spreading, and their rich taste enhances any dish.
